Guadalupe County Marriage License

To get a marriage license in Guadalupe County, both applicants must go in person to the County Clerk's office in Seguin. The clerk issues all formal and informal marriage licenses under the Texas Family Code Chapter 2. No residency requirement applies, so anyone can apply here. Both people need valid photo ID and their Social Security numbers. After the license is issued, a 72-hour wait is required before the ceremony. The license stays good for 90 days from the day it is issued.

Guadalupe County Clerk - Marriage License Office

The Guadalupe County Clerk's office in Seguin is the only place in the county where marriage licenses are issued. The office handles both formal ceremony licenses and informal (common law) marriage declarations. Staff can walk you through the process and tell you what to bring. All records are kept on file at this office once the signed license is returned after the ceremony.

Guadalupe County is part of the San Antonio metro region, located between San Antonio and San Marcos. The clerk's office is at the courthouse on West Court Street in Seguin. Plan to visit during normal weekday business hours. The office does not process applications on state or county holidays.

The standard fee for a marriage license in Guadalupe County is approximately $82. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital course pay a discounted fee of around $22. Call ahead to confirm accepted payment types. Most county clerks in Texas accept cash, check, and money order, and some now accept cards.

Note: If either applicant has been divorced within the last 30 days, they must bring a certified copy of the divorce decree under Texas Family Code Section 2.009.

The Guadalupe County website includes information about county services, the clerk's office, and how to contact staff with questions about marriage license applications.

Reviewing the county website before your visit helps confirm current hours and any changes to fees or procedures.

How to Get a Marriage License in Guadalupe County

Applying in Guadalupe County is the same basic process as anywhere in Texas. Both people show up together at the clerk's office in Seguin. Bring your documents, fill out the form, pay the fee, and wait 72 hours before the ceremony.

Each applicant must bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID)
• Social Security number (know it; a card is helpful but may not be strictly required)
• Certified divorce decree if divorced within the last 30 days
• Court order if under 18 (Texas law since September 1, 2017 requires a court order for anyone under 18)

No blood test is needed. No Texas residency is required. A license issued here is good anywhere in Texas. The state application form asks for full legal names including maiden names, dates and places of birth, Social Security numbers, and prior marriage history. This form follows the requirements in Texas Family Code Section 2.004. If you have been married before, you will need to say when and how the marriage ended.

Guadalupe County sits near large metro areas, so staff often handle applicants from Bexar and Comal counties as well. There is no restriction on where applicants come from. Anyone can apply here.

72-Hour Waiting Period and Fees

Texas requires a 72-hour wait from the moment the license is issued before a ceremony can happen. The rule is found in Texas Family Code Section 2.204. Three days must pass from the exact time the license is stamped. Plan the ceremony date with that in mind.

The wait can be skipped in three cases. Active duty members of the armed forces are exempt. A family law judge can grant a written waiver for good cause. Couples who complete the Twogether in Texas premarital education program also skip the wait and pay a lower fee. The course runs 8 hours and is offered at sites around Texas. Present the completion certificate at the clerk's office when you apply, and the fee drops from about $82 to around $22.

The license is valid for 90 days. If the ceremony does not happen in that period, you must apply and pay again. The informal (common law) marriage declaration is also processed through the Guadalupe County Clerk for a fee of approximately $42. Both people still must appear in person for that as well.

Guadalupe County Marriage License Records

After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony must sign the license and send it back to the Guadalupe County Clerk within 30 days. Texas Family Code Section 2.206 sets this deadline. The clerk records the returned license in the public file. Once recorded, the couple can request certified copies for name changes, benefits, or other legal purposes.

Certified copies from the Guadalupe County Clerk cost approximately $21 each. You can request them in person or by mail. For records from anywhere in Texas since 1966, the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics unit keeps a statewide index and provides $20 verification letters. Those letters confirm a record exists but are not substitutes for certified copies from the issuing county clerk.

Guadalupe County appears in the Texas marriage records index at Ancestry.com, which covers select county marriage records from 1837 to 1965. For records after 1966, the county clerk and DSHS are the main sources. Historical records from Guadalupe County are also held in various Texas archive and genealogy collections.

Nearby Counties

Guadalupe County is surrounded by counties in the greater San Antonio and Central Texas region. All nearby county clerks issue marriage licenses under the same state law.